The difference between the NFL and the WWE 'scripting' is that so many fans now bet on NFL games. Both are entertainment businesses designed to make money for its stakeholders. Even in Vegas, the odds always favor the house, and that becomes the finger on the scales of NFL football, even if it is a very light finger.
You have misread the NFL rules. It doesn't matter whether or not Butler interfered with the player. Per NFL Rule 8, Section 5, Article 3(c) it is a permissible play because the pass was uncatchable - it was out of the endzone, therefore no pass interference can be called.
Maybe, just maybe, Frank realizes that you can't be a good head coach and call plays at the same time. Or maybe he isn't very good at calling plays. Either way, better late than never.
Apparently they investigate and discipline players who bet on NFL games. Are they doing the same to referees and replay officials? Oh, and historically, how many corrupt union bosses have there been? The referee's union should be investigated as well.
If this nonsense keeps up, might as well make Dylan Mulvaney the Commissioner of the NFL.
I guess this would qualify as "probable cause" without declaring it a "conspiracy" beyond all reasonable doubt. That's why I call for an investigation to see if laws were broken. It is obvious that rules of the game were not followed. Doesn't that make you wonder why?
Like I have said, I'm a referee in a different sport. I have to pass tests regularly to officiate, and I am graded on my performance. Let me assure you that I HAVE to understand ALL the rules of my sport.
My point is that there are too many blatant failures in succession to be a random event - just mistakes. We fans aren't required to know the NFL Rules like the back of our hand, but NFL Referees, NFL Replay Officials, and NFL Executives must know them very well. Coaches, Front Office and even players should know what actions are permissible, and what aren't.
See also NFL Rule 15, Section 1, Article 2(c) "Only the Replay Official or the Senior Vice President of Officiating or his or her designee may initiate a review of a play: (c) " when points are scored by either team;"? It's not all on the referees, but on the NFL Replay Official and the NFL Executives.
What about: "NFL Rule 8, Section 5, Article 3(c) identifies as a permissible act "[c]ontact that would normally be considered pass interference, but the pass is clearly uncatchable by the involved players.” This seems clearly the case. Maybe the rules only apply to favored teams?
Not with the way the refs called that game. I'm a referee in my sport. I don't mind being corrected by other refs if I make mistake. That's for the good of the game. These clowns are giving referees a bad name.
But I think there is more to the story that we aren't seeing. With NY being able to view and challenge bad play calls, it seems someone has their finger on the scale of these games. There are too many bad calls in favor of 'favored' teams.
Apology letters won't cut it. I stopped watching NFL football after the Colts game. The NFL needs to be investigated, and not some "internal investigation". That's not sport, that's only entertainment where the outcome is pre-determined.
If the game has become "only entertainment" - like wrestling on TV - and manipulated by the bookmakers so that the outcome is pre-determined, then I'm probably out, too.